Friday, December 2, 2011

Nepal :: Business Etiquette


Culture of Nepal - A Quick Facts::


  • Nepal has over 72 Ethnic Groups and over 100 spoken languages are found in the country. As the country's groups of people are so diverse, each group follow their
  • own customs and traditions even for festival celebrations, rituals and eating foods. For example, Ethic Group known as "Brahman" are said to be refrained from drinking Alcohol and Buffaloes meats mainly because many of the priests are Brahman who consider consuming such commodities to be impure to mind, body and soul.
  • Nepal remained a Hindu Kingdom but has now become a Secular Nation. King was regarded as the reincarnation of Vishnu God and many Nepalese would worship him.
  • Music of Nepal is melodic however the modern music is a mixture of beats from the Western Countries Like USA and the Neighboring country India. The interests in POP music has grown in youth while there are still large population of the Nepalese who feel for the true beats of Nepali Music - the folk songs played using a flute and a drum called Madal . For many of the Nepalese living away from home, just listening to a folk song brings them back to Nepal variously!
  • Nepalese love arts. It shows in their work in temples and monuments and even at the houses. One such art rich city is the Patan of Kathmandu Valley where one can witness various forms of arts such as wooden arts, stone arts, and paintings.
  • Festivals are more than just holidays for Nepalese. They are the moments of devotion to worshiping Gods and Goddesses and keeping family and values together
  • The country is extremely diverse in its geographical position, all Nepalese do not share similar culture. Even the same festivals might be celebrated differently on in a different day in the different parts of the country
  • The country's population is about 27 million. The most crowded city is the capital, Kathmandu.
  • Country is often divided into three regions Terai, Mountains and Himalayas. People of Terai share similar culture that is found in India, because of its closeness to the India section. One such example is the culture of Mithila which is similar to that of India which is only found in the Terai region of Nepal.
  • There is a strong believe among the youths in the country that to be rich in Nepal, you either you have to be a politician or a government officer or work at the Tribhuvan International Airport at it's custom department. When asked, "why the country went to war", 9 out 10 nepalese might spell-out corruption as the main reason.



          Business Ettiquette Of Nepal ::

Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one's home.

Ask for permission before entering a Hindu temple.

Taking photographs inside the most temples are considered illegal. Ask for permission before taking photographs of objects, and including Nepali people.

Nepali people are friendly by nature. Have a genuine interest in them. Talk to them. Be friendly as you travel..

Public displays of affection such as kissing may be considered offensive.

Say hello or Namaskar if anyone is initiating a dialogue with you. The form of greeting in Nepal is Namaste or Namaskar. Say it to greet Nepali people. It has a lot of meaning such as hello, how are you, have a nice day, bye bye. To do Namaskar by hand, join your palms together, bring it few inches below you chin facing it upwards.

You may accept handshake offered by both sex male or female, but never offer your hand first to women. Instead you do `Namaskar' Its considered rude for a man to touch a women even shaking a hand, specially married women. Hand shakes are more gentle not strong, so don't feel the person isn't interested, it's just their way.

Roads are narrow and crowded so horns help drivers save lives. They signal pedestrians with each beat of the heart! So be ready to hear horn noise and accept it - don't get upset about it

Khana Khanu Bhayo? - Nepalese may ask you in Nepali, Khana Khanu Bhayo (have you eaten) ? Its a form of greeting more than the question. So go ahead say `you ate one (Khaya)' if you are busy, or they will have you joining their dining table if you say (Chaainaa)!

For Yes : shake your head from side to side, and for NO: nod your head up and down

It is common to see same sex walking together hand in hand or with arms around each other. It is a common friendship gesture in Nepal. Perception of friendship is realized before such terms like Gay or Lesbian. When someone talks to you and taps you while talking to you consider that the person is trying to get your attention - its a Nepali friendship way.

Pointing your finger at people is considered bad - it means wait and I will have something against you! If you have to point at someone, use your upturned hand or lift your chin and say oo.



It is believed that it's uncommon to say Ma Lai Thaha Chaina (I don't know in English). Its often considered rude to say it. So if you have to say "I don't know" try saying it like you knew it! Suppose someone asks you where is America and you didn't know, you would say "Try looking up in the globe?" So people expect answers from you but not the "I don't know" answer!

When you are in a Nepali dining table, there is usually the senior member of the family, usually a female, serving to everyone. She will repeatedly offer food. Consider that as a respect, don't get offended, take a little and say thank you. In Nepali, usually the mother eats last and she makes sure that everyone eats and eats well. That's why you have the repeated offers!

You generally visit someone in a hospital with fruits or some powder mix like a popular Indian made Horlicks. Never visit someone in a hospital empty hand and a happy face!

Elders are called by their title but not by their names. Never call your daddy by his name nor do you call your mummy by her name, it's considered rude. When you visit your friend's parent, you also don't use their names. Brothers and Sisters also do not use their names while calling one another.

Shopping in Nepal start by bargaining. Most products don't have price tags, so you are expected to haggle with shop owners. Don't buy anything without bargaining or if you feel that extra dollars of yours would not hurt poor Nepalese go ahead give your best shot! Bargaining is common for buying stuff like vegetables and groceries, riding a cab, buying gift items such as Nepali Kukuri, Carpets, and just about anything really.

When you touch someone with your feet accidentally, you pay back the respect by tapping the person's shoulder, and then your forehead.

Calling people by names like Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother, Uncle is very common. For example, you say `Amaa' (Mother) or Buba (Dad) to your friend's parents but never call them by their names.

Never tell a girl you don't know that she is beautiful or compliment on her features. Girls consider it impolite and rude - they think you are flirting with them. Most Nepalese girls don't flirt except for a few bunch living in cities breathing western air!.

Slurping - It is common to slurp tea and other hot drinks in restaurants and homes.

Superstition is a part of Nepalese life. Never say a young baby healthy and or fat - they don't like that, they think the baby will get sick afterwards. Never keep your shoes or sandals upside down - it brings bad luck around. Spilling rice on the floor (specially cooked rice) and walking on it is an insult to the Hindu Goddess of Food. For a long journey away from home, you usually depart with a sip of yogurt and/or a red tika (colored mix or powder) on your forehead given by the senior member of your family. Some highly superstitious people will only travel on specific days of the week for leaving home towards a specification directions like north or south. The number 3 is considered unlucky - for example, when three people have to depart from the same location, they leave one after another but not all at same time. It is common to pray before traveling specially on a long journey, so you will see bus drivers with photos of Hindu goddess, incense and bells and doing prayers before beginning the first drive of the day. Its common to see hanging of red dried Chillies in places like homes, restaurants and even in buses - it's done to protect the place from bad spirits.

Fat - If you tell someone he or she is fat, it's a compliment. Say it in Nepali "Tapai Kastoo Moto HooNuuHunChaa". Nepalese like that and most Nepalese like to be called fat. When someone has a big fat belly, it means they have got a lot of money to eat, it shows off. Most big fat bellies in poor countries do walk proudly.

Sharing a meal - You always ask someone around you if that person want's to share your meal. If you take a snack to work, you always ask your colleague if they would like to have a bit out of it. When a Nepali family prepares a special meal or even a special pickle at home, they will send it out to neighbors before they have it themselves. Sharing a meal makes them feel good about it. This is very common specially in remote villages in the country.

Nothing in Nepal works on time. Don't expect punctually. Public buses don't run on time, road traffics are unpredictable, and I didn't know about the meeting time - the kind of excuses you will hear from someone who shows up late in Nepal. Expect everything to slow down. Did you know that it takes hours just to pay your Electricity Bills, forget about paying your telephone Bill - it might take a whole day of waiting in a line! So expect delay at all levels from getting a bus, taxi, plane and getting a room in your hotel

Nepali Topi is the the national cap of Nepal - it's rather the part of the national dress for men. Many Nepalese were Topi proudly and it makes them feel good. One of the best ways to show that you care about Nepal and Nepalese is to wear this cap. Many visitors take back home a Nepali topi and use it in special occasions such for receiving Nepali friends at airport or during celebrations. Nepali Topi makes an unique and simple method to show your affection for Nepal and Nepalese. If you can, wear a Nepali topi while traveling in Nepal - for a Nepali topi on your head you feel like a Nepali and what better experience can be more than that!

Use of bad language is not common even among friends. Visitors to Nepal should avoid using bad language, and remember most city people do understand spoken English.

Licking your fingers is considered a bad manner. In most countries like USA, you lick your fingers if it has touched any edible substances. Doing the same in Nepal in public is considered gross.

Blowing your nose in front of people is considered rude. If you must blow, do it quietly and/or alone.

People spit and throw stuff everywhere- there is no law against littering. Don't complain, just go about your business, ignore it. The most common spitting is from the chewing of Betel Leaf (Paan) and chewable tobacco (Khaine in Nepali)

When women have their monthly (Period or menstruation), they sleep and eat alone without touching anyone in the family for three to four days, they are also kept isolated for a week when they give a birth. Such traditions have been modified to fit family's desire or needs. During untouchable period, women don't visit temples or perform puja (worshiping and making offerings to God ). Some go as far as not celebrating festivals. For example, a sister who has a period during Tihar festival won't give or receive tika (a special mark on forehead).

Most Nepalese eat their meal by hand specially for the Nepali food Dal Bhat and Tarkari

Once someone has eaten from a plate, most Nepalese will not eat from it as it is considered impure (Jutho in Nepali). They feel they might get germs from it. But it is found that many Nepalese women eat leftovers from her husband's plate - for sharing of food is a loving gesture.

Priest play an important role in the lives of Nepalese. He is called in to get a special `birth name' when you are born, he is there to witness your marriage vows, and he is with you at your funeral, and also in selected Hindu festivals like Janai Purnima. He performs puja, worships God and asks God for forgiveness of your sins. They are passionate people, they love their job like no other. Never criticise the job of a priest, even if you don't agree.

Traditional Nepalese marriage is a deal between the parents. The boy, his mother and his father will come to see the girl and her parents. She will offer them tea. He will get to see her for a while, and the deal is made by the parents. If its not good enough, they will go search for another deal.







People who don't look like the ordinary Nepalese will get lots of looks and even constant staring. Specially when you are away from the main cities like Kathmandu, you will be noticed constantly by many people including beautiful Nepalese kids whose curious eyes will be all around you. Smile and Enjoy

Nepalese don't eat beet, but buffalo meat is eaten by certain group of people.
Many of the Nepalese customs are based on traditions and beliefs in Hindu and Buddhist religions. You haven't known about Nepalese untill you have been with all. There are more than 100 ethic groups of Nepalese in Nepal each with their own custom, tradition, and rituals, all sorts speaking different Nepali language

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Pakistan :: Business etiquette

Pakistani Society & Culture
Islam
. Islam is practised by the majority of Pakistanis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. 
. Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. 
. During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.
The Family
The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity.
. It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbours. 
. Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business. 
. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. 
. The family is more private than in many other cultures.
. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Pakistani's wife or other female relatives. 
. Families are quite large by western standards, often having up to 6 children.
Hierarchical Society
. Pakistan is a hierarchical society. 
. People are respected because of their age and position. 
. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat, and in general are treated much like royalty. 
. Pakistanis expect the most senior person, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. 
. Titles are very important and denote respect. It is expected that you will use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name.

Etiquette & Customs in Pakistan

Meeting and Greeting
. Greetings are therefore often between members of the same sex; however, when dealing with people in the middle class, greetings may be across sex lines. 
. Men shake hands with each other. Once a relationship is developed, they may hug as well as shake hands. 
. Women generally hug and kiss. Pakistanis take their time during greetings and ask about the person's health, family, and business success. 
. Pakistani names often include a name that denotes a person's class, tribe, occupation, or other status indicator. 
. They may also include two names that have a specific meaning when used together, and the meaning is lost if the names are separated. . It is best to ask a person how they wish to be addressed. 
. In general, this is not a culture where first names are commonly used, except among close friends.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If invited to a Pakistani's home, bring the hostess a small gift such as flowers or good quality chocolates.
. Men should avoid giving flowers to women.
. Do not give white flowers as they are used at weddings.
. If a man must give a gift to a woman, he should say that it is from his wife, mother, sister, or some other female relative.
. Do not give alcohol.
. Gifts are not opened when received. 
. Gifts are given with two hands.
Dining Etiquette
. If invited to a home you will most likely have to remove your shoes. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the door. 
. Dress conservatively. 
. Arrive approximately 15 minutes later than the stipulated time when invited to dinner or a small gathering. 
. You may arrive up to one hour later than the stipulated time when invited to a party. 
. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first. 
. In more rural areas, it is still common to eat meals from a knee-high round table while sitting on the floor. 
. Many people in urban areas do not use eating utensils, although more westernized families do. 
. When in doubt, watch what others are doing and emulate their behaviour.
. Guests are served first. Then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served. 
. Do not start eating until the oldest person at the table begins. 
. You will be urged to take second and even third helpings. Saying "I'm full" will be taken as a polite gesture and not accepted at face value. 
. Eat only with the right hand.

Business Etiquette & Protocol in Pakistan

Building Relationships & Communication
Third-party introductions are a necessity in this relationship-driven culture. 
. Pakistanis prefer to work with people they know and trust and will spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you part of relationship building. 
. You must not appear frustrated by what may appear to be purely social conversation. Pakistanis are hospitable and enjoy hosting foreign guests. 
. Relationships take time to grow and must be nurtured. This may require several visits. 
. Pakistanis often ask personal questions as a way to get to know you as a person. 
. If possible, it is best to answer these questions. 
. Pakistanis do not require as much personal space as most western cultures. As such, they will stand close to you while conversing and you may feel as if your personal space has been violated. Do not back away.
. Pakistanis are generally indirect communicators. 
. Always demonstrate deference to the most senior person in the group. 
. In general, Pakistanis speak in a roundabout or circuitous fashion. Direct statements are made only to those with whom they have a long-standing personal relationship. 
. They also use a great deal of hyperbole and similes, and go out of their way to find something to praise.
. Be prepared to flatter and be flattered. 
. Pakistanis prefer to converse in a non-controversial manner, so they will say they "will try" rather than admit that they cannot or will not be able to do something. 
. Therefore, it is important to ask questions in several ways so you can be certain what was meant by a vague response. Silence is often used as a communication tool. 
. Pakistanis prefer to do business in person. They see the telephone as too impersonal a medium for business communication.
 Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary and should be made, in writing, 3 to 4 weeks in advance, although meetings with private companies can often be arranged with less notice. 
. The best time to schedule meetings is in the late morning or early afternoon. 
. If at all possible, try not to schedule meetings during Ramadan. The workday is shortened, and since Muslims fast, they could not offer you tea, which is a sign of hospitality.
. You should arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to be kept waiting. 
. Pakistanis in the private sector who are accustomed to working with international companies often strive for punctuality, but are not always successful.
.  It is not uncommon to have a meeting cancelled at the last minute or even once you have arrived. 
. In general, Pakistanis have an open-door policy, even when they are in a meeting. This means there may be frequent interruptions. Other people may wander into the room and start a different discussion. 
. Meetings are formal. 
. Business meetings start after prolonged inquiries about health, family, etc. 
. Never inquire about a colleague's wife or daughters. 
. During the first several meetings, business may not be discussed at all as the relationship is still being developed. 
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking.
Negotiating
. Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are made by the highest-ranking person. 
. Decisions are reached slowly. If you try to rush things, you will give offense and jeopardize your business relationship. 
. The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval. 
. It often takes several visits to accomplish simple tasks. 
. If you change negotiators, negotiations will have to start over since relationships are to the person and not the company that they represent. 
. Pakistanis are highly skilled negotiators. 
. Price is often a determining factor in closing a deal. 
. Pakistanis strive for win-win outcomes. 
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking. 
. Do not use high-pressure tactics. 
. Pakistanis can become highly emotional during negotiations. Discussions may become heated and even revert to Urdu (the national language). It is imperative that you remain calm.
Business Card Etiquette
. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction. 
. Include any advanced university degrees or professional honours on your card, as they denote status. 
. Business cards are exchanged using the right hand only or with two hands. 
. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting into your business card holder.

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